Crusaders player ratings: Scott Barrett ‘silences doubters’ as All Blacks hopeful leads dominant pack performance
Following the Crusaders’ 32-12 Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final victory over the Queensland Reds, here are our player ratings from Christchurch.
Crusaders player ratings v Reds
15 Will Jordan: He showed no signs of rust in a classy shift at the back. Kicked well, his counterattacks were sharp and hardly missed a beat all game. 6
14 Chay Fihaki: Brilliant attacking play was not the order of the day for the wingers in what was a forward-dominant game. Still, Fihaki was solid at the back with his kick returns and was decent defensively. 6
13 Braydon Ennor: Combined well defensively with his centre partner while he tested the Reds‘ defence with his pace. His flash and game-breaking ability was needed that much today. 7
12 David Havili: Combined nicely as a second playmaker with Rivez Reihana and played his part in an effective rush defence. 6
11 Sevu Reece: Precious few opportunities with the ball in hand as the battle was well and truly up front, but Super Rugby’s all-time leading try-scorer was sharp defensively and did little wrong throughout. 6
10 Rivez Reihana: A calm and composed shift in attack as he put the Crusaders in the right areas of the pitch. Grabbed a try after passing his HIA. While the pack charged the Crusaders to victory, their fly-half did not spoil the opportunities they created. 7
Chiefs would ‘wipe the floor’ with the northern hemisphere as New Zealand pundit makes wild claim
9 Noah Hotham: Brilliantly scored a try that all but ended the Reds’ chances of progressing further in the tournament. Overall, a solid and patient performance that bore fruit as the game progressed. 7
Back-five forwards
8 Christian Lio-Willie: He has been a standout all season for the Crusaders and today was no different as he made his presence felt in every single facet of the game. A handy lineout option, brutal in the carries, produced a stunning offload for Hotham’s try and was just as effective defensively. Has put his hand up for All Blacks selection and Scott Robertson could do worse. 8
7 Tom Christie: Played his part in an effective and efficient Crusaders loose trio that comfortably got the better of the Reds. Often flies under the radar but always gives his all. 7
6 Ethan Blackadder: Outstanding. The Crusaders pack dominated the play-off match and the All Blacks flanker was central to their success. An unrelenting powerhouse performance. His yellow card was a real blight on what was an excellent shift. 7
5 Antonio Shalfoon: Worked well in tandem with Scott Barrett at lineout time and was busy in the loose. It was a pack effort that dismantled the Reds and Shalfoon played his part with little fuss. 7
4 Scott Barrett: Shades of 2023 at the MCG as he robbed the Reds of the ball in coffin corner after a lineout and this time scored himself. Has silenced doubters over his lack of form earlier in the season. Excellent in all facets and looks to be back to near the top of his game. 8
Front-rowers and replacements
3 Fletcher Newell: The Crusaders’ scrum dominated and Newell led the charge on his side of the scrum clearly getting the better of Sef Fa’agase. 8
2 Codie Taylor: Trademark Taylor shift. Excellent in the set-pieces, which was the cornerstone of the Crusaders’ performance and was lively around the park. 7
1 Tamaiti Williams: Another immense shift from the loosehead prop despite being forced off the pitch before half-time. He had the upper hand in the scrums and scored a try. 7
Replacements: The game was pretty much won when Rob Penney started to empty his bench and while Kyle Preston impressed yet again, the Reds got some momentum in the latter stages and some purchase from the scrum. That will concern the Crusaders’ coaching staff going forward. 4
